Cigar lighter



' 1940- A. A. JOHNSON v r 2,220,015

CIGAR LIGHTER Fi'led May 21, 1937 INVEN OR Patented Oct. 29, 1940 CIGAR LIGHTER Arthur A. Johnson, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Automatic Devices Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application May 21, 1937, Serial No. 143,868

13 Claims.

The invention relates to a cigar lighter and more particularly to a lighter of the type which will attain its desired heat emission within a few seconds.

According to the prior art an operator of an automobile desiring to use a cigar lighter had to depress the lighter to close the contact and wait for a considerable period of time for the same to come up to its desired temperature.

During this period of time, the operators attention was distracted from driving and his eyes. were usually taken from the road while watching the lighter.

An object of the invention is to provide a cigar lighter which is easy to operate and which requires but a short time for it to come to its desired temperature so that the operator of the automobile does not have to spend too much time holding in the lighter to obtain a sufficiently hot unit to ignite a cigar, or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heater unit of the type described which is entirely mounted on the igniting unit and which is fully automatic to first bring the heating unit to the desired heat and then maintain that desired heat Without further increasing the temperature.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lighter of the type described which is cheap to manufacture and efiicient in operation.

And also another object of the invention is to provide a heater unit having a tapped connection intermediate its length and a control for the same which will shunt out a portion of the resistance of said unit so as to cause the current passing through the remainder of the resistance of said unit to be abnormally high and in this manner quickly bring the heating unit to the desired temperature and which will, when a predetermined temperature is attained, cut into the circuit the remainder of the resistance element to reduce the current in the heating unit to that which will normally produce the desired heat.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the holding means with the igniting unit in inoperative position, the igniting unit being partly in section.

Fig. 2 shows a section of one modification of the heating unit taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section of the heating unit taken along lines 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows a section of another modification of the heating unit as taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 6 is a front view of the modification shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a section taken along lines 1-! of Fig. 5. r

In Fig. 1, it) represents a tubular member or holder having an outwardly flared, open-end portion I I, which is bent back to engage a dashboard 12 of an automobile. Member I0 is closed at its other end as shown at l3. Secured to the closed end l3, by means of a plate M, is a tubular threaded sleeve 15, and in the tubular threaded sleeve I5 is mounted a bolt l6 having a head ll. The bolt I6 is positioned in the threaded sleeve l5 in an insulating sleeve l8 and the head IT is insulated from the tubular member by an insulating washer l8a and from the tubular member H) by an insulating member lBb. Mounted on the head of the bolt as shown in Fig. 1 is a spring contact is. Bolt 16 has threaded thereon a nut 20 insulated from sleeve l5 by an insulating washer I and which locks the insulating elements, bolt and spring contacts to the sleeve l5 secured to the holder l0. Also secured to bolt I8 is a fitting 2! connected to the source of electric current of the automobile. The tubular member I0 is locked to the dashboard I2 by means of a member 22 screwed on the threaded sleeve l5 and extending into contact with the back surface of the dashboard as shown in Fig. 1. This effectively locks the holding means in position on the dashboard.

The igniting unit, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a handle 23, and an insulated cylindrical portion 25 adapted to slide in holder 10 and having a reduced portion 25a by which it is secured to the handle. Mounted on the reduced portion 25a is a tubular sleeve 24 having a flared portion 24a for engaging the portion ll of the holder to limit the insertion of the igniting unit into the holder and an inturned portion 24b adapted to slide on the reduced portion 25a of element 25. Interposed between the handle and the sleeve portion 24b is a compression spring 45 for holding the handle in its outermost position. Mounted on the other end of the element 25 is a conducting cap 26 which carries a contact cup 2'! which supports a heating element and control means for the units. The specific structures of the contact cup, heating element, control means and their position on the conducting cap will be later described.

Sleeve 24 normally holds the handle in inoperative position but the spring when compressed by pushing on the handle will permit the handle and the cylindrical portion 25 to be moved so as to move the contacting cup 21 into engagement with the spring contact l9 to close the circu t to energize the heater unit. The circuit is from a battery through the bolt l6, contact i9, contact cup 21, through the heating unit to cap 26, to holder l and to ground. A struck-out portion Illa on the holder Ii] which engages cap 25 in inserted position insures a good connection to ground between the cap 26 and holder ID.

The heater unit according to the present invention is one which, upon being energized, immediately attains its desired heat so that it requires a minimum of attention by the user.

In the embodiment of the heater unit shown in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive, it will be seen that the contact cup 21 is mounted on a conducting cap by means of a contact stud 30 extending through the cap 26. The cup is locked to the cap by means of a shoulder 3| on stud 3i] and a headed over portion of stud 30 as shown in Fig. 2. The cap and cup are insulated from each other by a pair of insulating strips 32. Mounted in the cup is a heating element comprising a spiral resistance element 33; and end portion 33a of the heating element being secured to the cup and an end portion 33b being inserted in and secured to a slot 34 in contact stud 351. Intermediate the length of the resistance element 33 as at 35, a portion is extended inwardly as shown in Fig. 2 and contacts a tapping stud 36 extending through the cap and cup and insulated from the cap by a collar 37. Secured to the cup 21 and disposed below the heating element is a bimetallic switch element 33 which is normally biased into contact with tapping stud 36.

When element 38 contacts the tapping stud it forms a shunt circuit around that portion of the resistance element between 33a and 35. This in efiect reduces the resistance of the heating element and permits a greater current to flow in the then active portion for the same impressed voltage. Since the heat of the unit varies as the square of the current in the heating element, it will be readily seen that the active portion of the resistance element will be abnormally energized and will come up to the desired heat practically instantaneously.

When the desired heat has been attained, the bimetallic element 38 opens the contact with tap stud 35. This removes the shunt from around the portion 33d-35 and permits the current to flow through the entire resistance element. The added resistance reduces the current in the heating element to its normal value or that value which will produce the desired heat in the igniting unit without burning out the heating element.

Mounted on the cup is an adjusting screw 39 positioned in a depression 27a of the cup. By moving this adjusting screw, the operation of the bimetallic strip can be altered to cause it to operate at diiferent temperatures.

The operation of this form of the invention will now be described. Assuming the igniting unit to be in inoperative position as shown in Fig. 1, the user of the lighter pushes on handle 23 and moves the unit in against the pressure of spring 45 until contact cup 21 engages contact 19 and closes a circuit to energize the heater. The portion 3533b of the heating element instantaneously heats to the desired temperature and the heat from this portion opens the bimetallic switch to open the shunt circuit so as to include all of the resistance in the circuit, i. e., the entire heating element in the form of the invention herein described. This limits the heating current to its normal value and prevents the heating unit from overheating should it not be promptly removed.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. to '7 inclusive, the cup 2'! is secured to the cap 26 by a contact stud 30' and insulated from the same as described in connection with the other form of the invention. A tapping stud 36' is secured to the cap and insulated therefrom by a collar 31. The heating unit comprises a coiled resistance element 33 mounted at its inner end 331) in a kerf 34 of member 30. The outer end is bent as at 330/ (Fig. 5) and inserted in a slot in the end of a contact stud All. The heating element 33 has a portion 35' intermediate its length which is bent to extend below the plane of the element and connect to tapping stud 36. The stud 40 is secured to the cap in the same manner as stud 36' and insulated from the cap.

by an insulating collar 4|. A bimetallic switch element 38 is connected to the cup and engages the tapped connection. This efiectively shunts outs the portion of the heating element between 35 and 33a- A bimetallic switch element 42 is connected to the cup and is positioned to lie adjacent to but out of contact with contact stud 40. Upon the heating of the section 35, 33b to its desired temperature, the bimetallic switch element moves into contact with contactor stud 40 and closes the circuit between the end of the coil 33a and the contact cup 21'. At the same time the bimetallic element 38' opens its connection with the tapped connection and thus opens the shunt circuit so that the entire resistance is in the heater circuit. The two bimetallic switch elements are adjusted so that the contact of bimetallic element 42 is made just prior to the opening of the shunt circuit by switch element 38. The adjustment of these elements is made by means of an adjusting screw 39' in a depression 21a" of the cup for adjusting element 38' and adjusting element 44 in another depression 43 f cup 21 for adjusting the position of switch element 42.

The operation of the above described form of the invention will now be described. The user of the lighter pushes the handle 23 so as to engage cap 21 with the contact l9, closing the circuit through the heater unit. The circuit is through the contact cup, bimetallic switch element 38' through the resistance element from 35' to 33b through contact stud 33' to cap 26 and through holder H] to ground. When the active portion has been abnormally energized to bring it up to the desired temperature instantaneously, bimetallic switch element 38' moves to open the shunt circuit. Prior to the opening of the circuit by switch element 38' the heat of the coil of the igniting unit moves switch 42 into contact with contact stud 40 to close the circuit so that there is no gap in the circuit when switch 38' opens. The operation as far as the current values through the coils is concerned, is the same as described in the previous modification.

It will be seen from the above description that there has been provided a cigar lighter which acts instantaneously to attain the desired heat emission and which then maintains the desired heat emission without overheating, and one which does not require the users attention for any period of time.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements may be used'without others.

I claim:

1. An igniting unit for a cigar lighter adapted to be movably and removably mounted on an associated holder comprising a body; a heating unit carried by the igniting unit comprising a spirally coiled resistance element having an exposed surface for igniting a cigar or the like when brought to a sufiicient heat and tapped intermediate its ends to provide a plurality of resistance elements; and thermo-responsive means positioned adjacent an unexposed surface of the heating unit and in direct heat-receiving relation therewith for selectively energizing the plurality of resistance elements.

2. An electric cigar lighter igniting unit having a pair of contacts adapted to be brought into contact with a pair of electrical supply terminals on an associated holder comprising a tubular body having a handle at one end by which the igniting unit can be grasped and manipulated; a contact cup mounted on the other end of the tubular body by a central stud to engage one of the terminals on the holder; a spiral heating element of resistance material mounted on the cup so as to extend across the front of the cup to present an exposed igniting surface and to form a chamber in the cup therebehind; and thermostatic switch means in the energizing circuit for the heating element disposed within the chamber in close proximity with the unexposed surface of the heating element in heatreceiving relation therewith for controlling the heating of the element when the circuit to the two holder terminals is closed.

3. An electric cigar lighter igniting unit having a pair of contacts adapted to be brought into contact with a pair of electrical supply terminals on an associated holder comprising a tubular body having a handle at one end by which the igniting unit can be grasped and manipulated; a contact cup mounted on the other end of the tubular body by a central stud, said contact cup being adapted to engage one of the terminals on the holder; a spiral heating element of resistance material mounted on the cup so as to have an exposed igniting surface, said heating element having one end connected to the cup and the other end connected to the central stud; and thermostatic switch means disposed within the cup, said switch being electrically connected to one end of the heating element and positioned in heat-receiving relation with the unexposed surface of the heating element so as to be responsive to the heat thereof for controlling the heating of the element when the circuit to the twoholder terminals is closed.

4. An electric cigar lighter igniting unit having a pair of contacts adapted to be brought into contact with a pair of electrical supply terminals on an associated holder comprising a tubular body having a handle at one end by which the igniting unit can be grasped and manipulated; a contact cup mounted on the other end of the tubular body by a central stud to engage one of the terminals on the holder; a spiral heating element of resistance material mounted on the cup so as to have an exposed igniting surface, said heating element having one end connected to the cup and the other end connected to the central stud; and thermostatic switch means disposed within the cup, said switch being electrically connected to one end of the heating element and extending over at least a plurality of convolutions of the spiral heating element in heat-receiving relation with the unexposed surface thereof for controlling the heating of the element when the circuit to the two holder terminals is closed.

5. A heating unit adapted to be mounted on a removable igniting unit of a cigar lighter comprising a contact cup having a stud positioned at its center and insulated therefrom; a spiral heating coil connected to the cup at one end and to the stud at the other, and positioned in the cup to present an exposed igniting face, said coil having a tapped connection intermediate its ends and projecting from, an unexposed face thereof; and thermostatic switch means connected to the cup to be in direct heat-receiving relation with the heating coil and adapted to contact with the tapped connection to short circuit a portion of the heating element.

6. A detachable heater unit for use on the igniting unit of an electric cigar lighter comprising a sleeve adapted to be secured to the igniting unit; a cup-shaped contact member supported by and insulated from said sleeve; a heating element mounted in the cup to extend across the open end thereof and form a chamber therebehind; a thermostatic switch member mounted in said unit in the chamber between the unexposed surface of the heating element and the rear wall of the cup and electrically connected to one end of the heating element; and a centrally disposed stud for clamping the assembly together.

7. A detachable heating unit for use on the igniting unit of an electric cigar lighter comprising a sleeve adapted to be secured to the igniting unit; a contact cup mounted on the end of the sleeve by a central stud and having the walls curved inwardly to form a tapered surface to engage a cooperating terminal, said walls forming a cavity; a spiral heating element of resistance material mounted on the cup so as to extend into the cavity and across the front of the cup to present an exposed igniting surface and to form a chamber in the cup therebehind; and thermostatic switch means in the energizing circuit for the heating element disposed within the chamber in close proximity with the unexposed surface of the heating element in heat-receiving relation therewith for controlling the heating of the element when the energizing circuit is closed.

8. In a cigar lighter, a holder; an igniting unit mounted in the holder, said unit being movable in and completely removable from the holder; a heating unit carried by the igniting unit comprising a contact cup having a central stud mounted therein and insulated therefrom; a spirally coiled resistance element connected to the -cup at one end and to the central stud at the other and having a tapped connection intermediate its ends; a switch mounted within the cup between the rear wall thereof and the heating unit and normally contacting the tapped connection to short circuit a portion of the resistance element, said switch being operative to break its contact with the tapped connection when the heating unit reaches a predetermined temperature to remove the short circuit and make the whole resistance element operative; and means to energize the heating unit.

9. A heating unit adapted to be mounted on the igniting unit for a removable lighter, comprising a contact cup and a central stud positioned in the cup and insulated therefrom; a spiral heating element positioned in the cup and secured at its inner end to the central stud; a stud positioned adjacent the wall of the cup, but insulated therefrom for securing the outer end of the spiral heating element; a tap stud connected to the coil intermediate its ends; and switch means engaging at least a pair of said studs to close a circuit to short circuit portions of the coil.

10. A heating unit adapted to be mounted on the igniting unit for a removable lighter, com- 5" prising a contact cup and a central stud positioned in the cup and insulated therefrom; a

spiral heating element positioned in the cup and secured at its inner end to the central stud; a stud positioned adjacent the wall of the cup, but insulated therefrom for securing the outer end of the spiral heating element; a tap stud connected to the coil intermediate its ends; and switch means engaging the studs to close a circuit to short circuit portions of the coil, said switch means including a bimetallic element normally contacting the tap stud and a bimetallic element adapted to be moved into contact with the stud positioned adjacent the wall of the cup, the bimetallic elements being so adjusted that the latter is closed before the former opens.

11. A heating unit adapted to be mounted on the igniting unit for a removable lighter, comprising a contact cup and a central stud positioned in the cup and insulated therefrom; a spiral heating element positioned in the cup and secured at its inner end to the central stud; a stud positioned adjacent the wall of the cup, but insulated therefrom for securing the outer end of the spiral heating element; a tap stud connected to the coil intermediate its ends; and switch means mounted in direct heat-receiving relation with the heating element and engaging at least a pair of said studs to close a circuit to short circuit portions of the coil, said switch means being adjustable to vary the operation thereof.

12. A heater unit adapted to be mounted on a removable cigar lighter igniting unit comprising a contact cup having a stud positioned at its center, and insulated therefrom; a spiral heating coil positioned in the cup with one end secured to the stud, said heating coil having an insulated tapping stud connected intermediate its ends; and normally closed switch means in direct heat-receiving relation with the heating element and contacting the tapping stud to short circuit a portion of the heating coil to reduce the resistance in the energizing circuit to cause an abnormal current to flow in the remaining portion of the coil and heat it more quickly than normal, said switch means being operative upon the attainment of a predetermined heat to open the short circuit and insert the remaining portion of the heating coil into the energizing circuit to reduce the current to that normally required to heat the same.

13. A heating unit adapted to be mounted on a removable igniting unit of a cigar lighter comprising a contact cup having a stud positioned therein and insulated therefrom; a heating coil connected to the cup at one end and to the stud at the other and having a tapped connection intermediate its ends; and heat-responsive switch means mounted within the cup and having one end connected thereto and the other end extending across the heating coil in direct heat-receiving relation therewith and contacting the tapped connection to form a shunt circuit around a portion of the heating coil, said switch being adapted to remove the shunt upon being heated to a predetermined temperature so that the entire heating unit will then be included in a circuit.

ARTHUR A. JOHNSON. 

